Jobseekers, what questions should you ask at your interview?

From a recruiter’s point of view, the purpose of a job interview is to assess your suitability for a vacancy. From your point of view, an interview provides you with the chance to demonstrate that suitability. It can also help you to decide whether this is the right job and employer for you.

Asking questions during or at the end of the interview shows that you are interested in the job, a pro-active and self-aware candidate, and that you have researched the company. It also means that the interviewer is more likely to remember you.

Consider what information you want to take away from the interview. The basic information, such as salary package, hours, and location, will be covered in the job advert or description. Beyond this you might want to know:

• what internal career path the job would open up to you
• details of the company culture
• what happens after the interview

Prepare a list of five or more open-ended questions that aren’t answered by the job advert and description. On the day of the interview, ask the two or three questions that are most pertinent.

Questions about the job

The job description will provide you with a good outline of the role itself but it’s always a good idea to get a feel for how the job fits into the larger organisation and what your experience of working in that role will be like on a day to day basis. You may also want to discover what success looks like in that role.

Example questions about the job

• Can you explain the daily responsibilities of this job?
• What expectations would you have of me in this role in the first three months?
• What challenges are associated with this job?
• Who would I report to and work with closely?
• What have past employees done to succeed in this role?
• What training and personal development opportunities would be available to me?

Questions about the company

The job might be ideal, but will you be happy working for this company? It’s always recommended to research an employer before applying for a job, but you can discover even more by asking questions about the company during your interview. Show that you’re a well-informed candidate by asking standard questions like the ones below and questions that are particular to the company, for instance, “I read that the company is moving to new, larger premises in the new year. How will that affect this job?”.

Example questions about the company

• How do you see this company changing over the next five years?
• How would you describe the working culture in this company?
• What qualities and attributes make for a successful employee in this company?
• What are the biggest challenges that this company is currently facing?
• What’s your favourite thing about working for this company?

Questions about your match as a candidate

It’s always wonderful to land a job but on those occasions where you face rejection, feedback is key to improving your chances next time round. You might think that it’s pushy to ask how the interview went at the actual interview, but it really isn’t a problem. In fact, it’s a great idea. Your details and interview are fresh in the mind of the interviewer, so their response is likely to be honest. Do remember, however, that your match and performance will always be measured in comparison to other candidates for the job. You are therefore unlikely to get a yes or no on the day of the interview.

Example questions about your match as a candidate

• Is there anything more that you’d like me to clarify about my experience, qualifications, or skills?
• From what you’ve seen today, is there anything you think I could have improved on, or any reason why you think I’m not suitable for this role?
• How do I compare with other candidates you’ve interviewed for this job?

Questions about the recruitment process

There’s no harm in asking what will happen next once your interview is over. The standard ‘we’ll be in touch’ is fine but it offers no clarity on when that might happen or whether you’ll face further hurdles before the final decision is made. Show your interest in the role by asking what the next step is in the recruitment process.

Example questions about the recruitment process

• What’s the timeline for your recruitment process? When will I hear back from you?
• What will happen next?
• Do I need to provide any further information?
• Will there be a long or short list of candidates?

Final Thoughts

A job interview provides you with a valuable opportunity to find out more about the role, the employer, and where that role could lead. Take full advantage of this opportunity by asking questions that will express your interest in the job, demonstrate your value as a candidate, and confirm whether this is the right job for you.